MOX-Linde announces RM60 million CO2 plant investment

Trade News

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 4 August 2010– MOX-Linde, a member of The Linde Group, today announced it will invest RM60million to install a carbon dioxide (CO2) plant in Terengganu, creating a new milestone for the CO2 industry in Malaysia and strengthening the company’s position as the leading high purity CO2 producer in Malaysia.

Scheduled to come on-stream by the end of 2011, the new CO2 plant will be the largest high purity liquid carbon dioxide plant in Malaysia with a production capacity of 200 tonnes per day (tpd). Purified CO2 is widely used in the food preparation, preservation and distribution industry for freezing and quality maintenance. The beverage sector is also one of the largest users of purified CO2 where exacting quality standards are demanded.

“MOX-Linde is already the largest industrial gas producer in Malaysia. Once commissioned, our new plant at Terengganu will significantly increase MOX-Linde's CO2 production capacity to 450 tpd. In fact, the new plant will add 60 percent to Malaysia's total CO2 production and this will substantially enhance the supply and service reliability to the market ”, MOX-Linde Managing Director, Wong Siew Yap said.

Wong added that the CO2 plant investment was strategic and timely, given that the demand for the gas is growing at about 7 percent to 8 percent year-on-year with increasing application as a shielding gas for semi-automatic welding processes in the fabrication industry. CO2 is also often used as a suppressant in fire-extinguishers. "By capturing carbon dioxide waste gas from existing industrial sources and purifying this for use in industry, MOX-Linde's production route is also environmentally friendly," Wong said.

This latest major investment by MOX-Linde follows a recent announcement that the company was investing RM200 million to build an air separation plant in Pasir Gudang, which is scheduled to be commissioned at the end of this year. Last year, despite the weaker economic environment, MOX-Linde brought on-stream three major plants in Banting, Kulim and Kuantan costing a total of about RM75 million. The company is also currently installing a new CO2 refilling station in Kota Kinabalu to complement existing oxygen and acetylene production to provide faster and more consistent service to customers in Sabah and Labuan.

“MOX-Linde celebrates its 50th year of incorporation in Malaysia this year. We feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to participate in the economic development of the country, and contribute to the success of its industries. We are committed to working hard to deliver innovative solutions and growing our asset base to offer excellent value to our customers and help their businesses succeed,” Wong said.

About MOX-Linde Gases Sdn Bhd:

MOX-Linde Gases Sdn Bhd, a member of The Linde Group, is the leading industrial gas supplier in Malaysia since 1960. MOX-Linde manufactures and distributes industrial, specialty and medical gases, and provides a range of related services including the installation of gas equipment, pipelines and associated engineering services. In addition, MOX-Linde also offers packaged chemicals and welding products.

For more information, please see MOX-Linde's website at: www.mox.com.my

About The Linde Group:

The Linde Group is a world leading gases and engineering company with almost 48,000 employees working in more than 100 countries worldwide. In the 2009 financial year it achieved sales of EUR 11.2 bn. The strategy of The Linde Group is geared towards sustainable earnings-based growth and focuses on the expansion of its international business with forward-looking products and services. Linde acts responsibly towards its shareholders, business partners, employees, society and the environment – in every one of its business areas, regions and locations across the globe. Linde is committed to technologies and products that unite the goals of customer value and sustainable development.